Kyiv: SES Finishes Collecting Oil Products from Lake Kyrylivske
Emergency crews in Kyiv have wrapped up a 16-day operation to remove oil pollutants from Lake Kyrylivske, following a Russian attack on the capital early on July 2. The cleanup was carried out by the State Emergency Service (SES), which deployed around 60 rescuers and 20 pieces of equipment. In total, 317 cubic meters of contaminated material were collected from approximately 20,600 square meters of the lake’s surface.
Specialized tools were used during the operation, including:
- skimmer systems,
- permanent floating booms,
- sorbent booms.
Currently, 230 meters of sorbent booms and 550 meters of permanent floating booms remain in place on the waterbody. These measures are intended to continue protecting the lake from further pollution.
The completion of this work marks a key milestone in restoring the ecological safety of Lake Kyrylivske, which was damaged by military action.
Environmental damage from warfare—such as water contamination—poses serious risks to the region’s ecosystem. Beyond cleaning the lake, ensuring the long-term protection of water resources remains critical. The SES response highlights the government’s efforts to address environmental challenges stemming from the conflict and underscores the importance of rapid action to safeguard nature.
The recent completion of the oil spill cleanup is a crucial step in addressing the environmental impact of military actions in the region. To understand the broader context of ongoing efforts to mitigate pollution in Kyiv's water bodies, you can read more about the current cleanup operations at another affected lake in our detailed report on the situation following the Russian strike.